A Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science blends the study of government and political behavior in a major that is designed to be interdisciplinary, pulling in insights from sociology, psychology economics and the management sciences as well as providing foundational knowledge about political theory, political institutions and international affairs. The major prepares graduates for work in a wide variety of jobs in public affairs, government, policy promoting organizations, political campaigns and journalism, as well as providing a sound foundation for graduate work in public administration and law.
Political science has a deeper relevance to modern life: students will acquire knowledge at the macro level about how the world is structured and works, but students will also cultivate and understanding of how politics functions in the workplace, neighborhoods and small groups. Political science majors will become discerning consumers of political messages and understand the importance of political context in communication.
Program Advisor: Walt Borges
Walter.Borges@untdallas.edu
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science include the following:
1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements: A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
2. Major Requirements: Completion of a minimum of 42 hours from Political Science of which 36 must be advanced. Students should complete at least 27 hours of 3000- and 4000-level courses before enrolling in the 4000-level capstone.
3. Electives: To ensure that graduates have a broad context in evaluating public affairs and policy matters, 42 hours of electives are designated. History, sociology, criminal justice and policy studies courses in other disciplines are strongly recommended to meet this requirement.
4. Other Requirements: All students entering the Political Science program must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.0 and be in good academic standing.
Curriculum
Students will earn 42 hours in CORE curriculum courses. Then, they will earn 36 hours of major requirements and 42 hours of electives.
Major Requirements
(36 hours needed of which 36 are advanced courses)
Political Science Major Core (all four courses required)
PSCI 3320 - Democratic Theory
PSCI 3XXX - Introduction to Public Administration
PSCI 3XXX - Quantitative Research Design and Analysis
PSCI 4XXX - Advanced Seminar in Political Science (capstone) Enroll in final semester. Prerequisites: completion of Political Science Major Core and Political Science Distribution Courses with 2.5 GPA.
Political Science Distribution (one course from each area)
American Politics (A) : PSCI 4020, 3100, 3110, 3130, 3160, 3200 3210, 4100, 4120 or 4140
International Affairs and Comparative Government (R): PSCI 3300 (International Relations) or PSCI 4520
Public Law (L): PSCI 3200, 3210, 4200, 4210, 4220 or 4520
Political Behavior (B): PSCI 3120, 3160 or 4120
Political Science Electives (12 hours: at least six hours must be from one distribution area)
PSCI 3100 Topics in American Government (A)
PSCI 3110 The Legislative Process (A)
PSCI 3120 Women In Politics (B)
PSCI 3130 Interest Groups (A)
PSCI 3160 Mass Media in American Politics (AB)
PSCI 3200 The American Legal System(AL)
PSCI 3210 The U.S. Supreme Court (AL)
PSCI 4020 Urban Politics (AB)
PSCI 4100 Political Parties (A)
PSCI 4120 Public Opinion and Participation (AB)
PSCI 4140 The Presidency (A)
PSCI 4200 Constitutional Law: Discrimination and Powers (L)
PSCI 4210 Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties (L)
PSCI 4220 Jurisprudence (L)
PSCI 4520 International Human Rights (RL)
PSCI 3300 International Relations (R)
General Electives (36 hours: history, sociology, criminal justice, economics and policy courses recommended)
HIST 4150 Mexican Immigration and the Chicano Community (AR)
HIST 4172 Modern Latin America - 1801-present (R)
HIST 4490 The American Revolution, 1763-1789.(A)
HIST 4700 Texas History (A)
PADM 3700 Introduction to Public Administration (AB)
PSYC XXXX Political Psychology (B)
CJUS/SOCI 2100 US Crime/Justice (AB)
CJUS/SOCI 3630 Drugs, Crime and Society (AB)
CJUS 3201 Criminal Law (L)
CJUS 3210 Judicial Law (L)
SOCI 3300 Urban Sociology (B)
SOCI 3550 Collective Behavior (B)
SOCI 4160 Developing Societies (R)
SOCI/HSML 4350 Community Organization (B)
SOCI 4540 Race and Ethnic Minorities (B)
SOCI 4750 World Population Trends and Problems (R)
MGMT 4350 Organizational Behavior (B)
Return to: